christmas 1914

Christmas Truce Of 1914

According to an entry in a British infantry diary, a soccer match took place in “no-man’s-land during the Christmas

truce. The Germans won 3-2.

Germans vs. Great Britain• On August 4, 1914 Great Britain declared war on Germany. • British started out enthusiastic, but quickly became battle

weary.• Trench warfare along the Western Front with high

casualties on both sides.

Cause of Ceasefire

• The British and the Germans realized that they were fighting human beings.

• The British knew a truce’s approval would be denied so they put their weapons aside and refused to fight when they saw the Germans willingness to have a temporary truce.

The Ceasefire

• Lasted for Christmas day only• Was not approved by any leaders• Was incited by the German side• German Christmas songs were sung along with

other festivities that were carried out.

What happened

• On December 25 1914, the opposing sides jointly recognized the need for the burial of the dead.

• The men of both sides cleaned up the bodies scattered around no mans land and ended up talking.

• The temporary truce was of some consolation, for both fighting sides wished for the end of the war all together.

Location of the ceasefire

• The men socialized at all points spanning from the British trenches to the German trenches

• No Man’s Land was also occupied.

Accomplishments

• Reminded both sides that their opponent was human too.

• Gave a chance to burry the dead• Gave soldiers hope to carry on.

Although the temporary truce lasted only one

day, it was able to make world headlines and

more importantly it helped to illustrate to the

world that there is a certain human dignity that

unites us all.